Remote control for transmissions



May 12, 1953 E. c. DODT 2,638,013

REMOTE CONTROL FOR TRANSMISSIONS Filed Sept. 27, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1IN V EN TOR.

y 1953 E. c. DODT 2,638,013

REMOTE CONTROL FOR TRANSMISSIONS Filed Sept. 27, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR. 77767 6' JoJZ yW And/W irraw/v /a tion of them in theirexposed condition.

Patented May 12, 1953 REMOTE CONTROL FOR TRANSMISSIONS Elmer C. Dodt,Huntington Woods, Mich, as-

signor to Chrysler Corporation, Highland Park, Mich., a corporation ofDelaware Application September 27, 1951, Serial No. 248,557

12 Claims.

This invention relates to the construction of steering columntransmission controls for automotive vehicles, and more particularly, tosteering column transmissionv controls of the type in which the shiftedshaft is in the form of a tube arranged concentrically exteriorly of thesteering tube of the motor vehicle.

The present application is especially directed to the operatingmechanism for such a control: that is. the upper end constructionincluding the lever operated by the driver of the motor vehicle toefiect the necessary movement of the shifted shaft or tube to obtain thedesired operator control over the transmission. The construction of thetransmission itself forms no part of. this invention, and thetransmission may follow various acceptable designs.

. While the general advantages of the usual remote shift o steeringcolumn transmission control arrangements are described at length in. heliterature on the subject, there are particular advantages Worthy ofnote in the presently disclosed structure so far as the operatingmecha-- nism itself is concerned. The phrase operating mechanism is usedas referring to the upper end of the steering column and to the controlassembly and to the operating lever which normally extends outwardlybeneath the steering wheel on the right hand side of the steering columnand which is manipulated by the driver to con trol the transmission ofthe vehicle as to the dc? sired speed ratios. In the ordinary type, ofsteeping column gearshift, particularly the laterally offset, separateshaft type, this operating lever element must be mounted on a pivot, anda fulcrum forming element must also be provided to obtain the necessaryleverage, both of which are usually exposed. Under these circumstances,it is extremely difficult to give any satisfactory decorative treatmentto these elements and it is particularly hard to provide for adequatelubrica- If they are lubricated, leakage is commonly experienced whichtends to soil the drivers attire, and, in the best of circumstances,they afford a place for the accumulation of: dirt which is extremelydiflicult to remove.

Another disadvantage of the operating mechanism for the usual laterallyoffset, separate shaft type of steering column transmission controls isthat they are, unless very carefully constructed, likely to become noisyand loose with continued wear.

Still another disadvantage is that most constructions of that type whichhave been found =4 to be satisfactory are relatively expensive andpresent certain difiiculties in assembly which ap pear to beunavoidable.

The advantage of the present construction is that the device isextremely economical to manu facture and may be made almost exclusivelyeither from stampings, tubing, or from other structural elements of astandard section. Indeed, in the specific example shown, there is butone forgingthe operating lever-and but one casting-the shroud. All otheritems going to make up the assembly, are either stampings or standardprocurement items. This type of construction results in a large savingfrom material alone and when these economies are obtained without anysacrifice either in operating ease and efficiency or durability, theconstruction results in indeed being most desirable.

A further advantage of the particular construction shown is that theoperating mechanism is supported directly on the steering column andshroud rather than through the interposition of a fixed means at the topof the steering column which has heretofore been necessary with the moreusual types of transmission controls,

A further advantage of the invention is that the steering hub concealsthe upper edge of the operating shaft completely in all of its variouspositions of operation so that as far as outward appearance isconcerned, the entire assembly appears to be structurally integral. Thefulcrum for the operating lever is located completely within the shroudand no protruding stumps or outboard fulcrum bearings are necessarywhich would interrupt the smooth contours of the shroud.

Another advantage of the construction shown is the fact that the devicemay be readily assembled and is equally well disassembled should serviceever be required.

Yet another advantage is that due to the specific formation of the leversocket and the oprating lever socketed therein, it is possible so todistribute the load over the component e15- ments that the device iseasily operated and excessive wear is avoided.

According to a feature of the invention, a an.- nularly shroudedcon-centric type remote control for transmissions is provided in which amanual control lever of the first classtl1at is, the fulcrum is situatedbetween the effort and resistance--is employed and yet the lever fulcrumis wholly disposed within the normal confines of the annular shroud.Accordingly, and as noted,

. no unsightly fulcrum-containing-stump protrudes from and breaks up theotherwise clean lines and appearance of the annular shroud of thepresent construction.

According to a further feature, a concentric shaft type remotetransmission control is provided in which all bearing support for theconcentric shaft is through frictional sliding bearing means locatedboth at top and bottom of the shaft. The inherent friction of thesebearing means is predeterminedly arranged to be sufficient of itself todamp out engine and vehicle suspension disturbances which tend to setthe controlled shaft and controlling hand lever in motion and whichmanifest themselves in certain instances of remote control shaftconstructions having the shaft ends supported by pivots or trunnions. Inthe latter type constructions it sometimes becomes necessary to provideadditional damping means to eliminate the rattles caused by disturbancessuch as just described.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of ahand-1ever-operated remote control mechanism of which the hand lever isfulcrumed in a ball and socket joint of the type situated between theeifort and resistance and formed with sufficient internal clearance inthe joint to permit predetermined travel of the lever axially of thejoint. Moreover, the wall of the socket is provided with a yieldablymounted anti-rattle mem ber incorporated as a portion thereof whichyieldingly engages the ball portion of the ball and socket and controlsunrestrained movement thereof.

Further features, objects, and advantages will either be specificallypointed out or become apparent when for a better understanding of theinvention reference is made to the following written description takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a steered vehicle to which the presentinvention is applied;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the steering wheel of vehicle;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section of the steering column of thevehicle;

Figure 4 is a face view of the ball and socket joint in the steeringcolumn of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a section through the steering column indicator for theremote control mechanism;

Figure 6 is a transverse section of the steerin column taken in thevicinity of the ball and socket joint; and

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the linkage controlled by the remotecontrol mechanism.

' Generally in Figures 1 through '7 of the drawings and particularly inFigure 1 thereof, a steered automotive vehicle is shown having a framel0 supporting the usual body, the only portion of which is indicated insection by a toe board I 2, a dash l4, a cowl l6, and an instrumentpanel I8. The instrument panel [8 has a depending flange 20 whichsupports a steering column bracket 22. A yoke-like structure 26 issecured to the bracket 22 and supports the respective ends of a steeringcolumn supporting strap 23 through one or more fasteners 30 at the endsof the latter. A U-shaped trough 24 surrounds the steering column and issecured at its upper end to the yoke structure 26 and bracket 22 and issecured at its lower end by a bracket 32 to the toe board [2 of thevehicle body. Brake pedal 34 protrudes through a suitable opening, notshown, in the toe board [2 and into the passenger compartment for thevehicle. The frame or chassis carries a bracket 36 which through clamp39 supports the lower end of the steering column and also supports the'4 worm casing 38 of the steering gear and the rockshaft casing 40.

At the upper end of the steering column there is provided a usualsteering wheel 42 having inwardly radiating spokes 44 which terminate ina steering wheel hub 46. Secured above the hub 46 is a horn ring 48, andbelow the hub in the steering column there are located a turn signalswitch lever 5'3 operable in a circumferentially extending slot 5| andalso an operating mechanism lever 52. Also located below the hub 46 forthe steering wheel there is provided a pair of cooperating transmissionposition indicator parts 54. The steering wheel hub 45 has an aperturedportion 56 provided with an internal set of spline teeth whichreceivably engage a splined portion 58 formed at the upper end of a tube60 serving as the steering shaft for the vehicle. The steerin tube 60 isfastened at the upper end just noted by means of a fastener 52 engagingthe hub portion 56. A steering column jacket 64 coaxially surrounds thesteering tube 60 so as to define a longitudinally extending annularspace 66 therebetween. The steering tube 5!] is journalled at itsopposite end for rotation in the steering worm casing 38. The steeringcolumn jacket 64 receives at its top end a short tubular section havinga relatively reversed set of flanges, the inner flange of which servesas the outer race for a ball bearing 68. The inner race for the ballbearing 68 is engaged by a spring seat section 16 which is in turnengaged by the end of a coil spring 12. The coil spring 12 surrounds thesteering shaft 60 and effects engagement against a depending flange onthe steering wheel portion 56. The steering tube 60 is thus journalledfor rotation in the upper end of the coaxial column jacket 64, and theupper end of the longitudinally annular space 66 is thus closed by theball bearing 68. The coil spring 12 engaging the under side of the hubportion 56 of the steering wheel, thrusts against the spring seatsection 10 and prevents any play or looseness from developing in theball bearing 68 for the upper end of the steering tube 60.

A pair of spaced bushing type bearings l4, I6 is mounted respectivelytop and bottom to the inside of the column jacket 64 and provides forreception of a tubular shaft 18 which is thereby journalled for rotativeand axial movement within the longitudinally extending annular space 66between the steering tube 66 and the column jacket 64. The shaft 18 isconcentric about an axis 13 with the steering tube 60 and itscoaxialjacket 64. The bearings 14, 76 have permanently lubricated corescomposed of an impregnated material which has desirable anti-rattlecharacteristics. The core material is preferably fabricated out of amulti-layer fibre fabric or a threadwound grommet which is absorbentenough to be impregnated with and retain a compounded lubricant of thegroup comprising tallow, resins, and/or grease. The relative slidingfriction between the relatively spaced bearings and the shaft 18journalled therein is overcome by the thus lubricated core but only to apredetermined degree, and sufficient drag is maintained to preventrattling and unrestrained movement of the shaft due to vibrations andjerking of the vehicle in operation. The core material selected is ofthe character which deforms somewhat to prevent vibrations from beingtransmitted therethrough.

The column jacket 64 surrounding the shiftable shaft 18 is in turnsurrounded by a multisectioned shroud 80 comprising a fixed section 82which is fast to the upper end of the column jacket: 54, a movablesection 96 which is journalled' for circumferential rotation about thecommon axis T3 for the steering column members so, 6'45 and I8- andsubstantially in. the plane of the end. of the last-named. member, andanother fixed section IE8 which. is fast to jacket 64 and longitudinallyspaced from the fixed section 82 so as to receive the relativelyrotatable section 90 therebetween. The enumerated sections 89, 9E] andH9- whiie of a generally curvilinear cross section, will be seen toconform substantially to a cylindrically annular path of revolutionlending a clean-lined appearance of smooth contour to the outside of thesteering column.

The upper fixed section 82 is press-fitted at 84 to the upper end of thecolumn jacket 64 and defines a. cavity therewithin. for receiving a turnsignal switch. mechanism 86 which is operated by the turn signal switchlever Elli extended outwardly of the chamber circumferentially normal tothe longitudinal axis 13 of the steering column. A bundle of conductors88 extends downwardly from the switch mechanism 8% and through thesteering column. The rotatabl section 98 is an assembly formed of upperand lower parts, 92, 94 which respectively provide a pair of halfsockets 96, 58 disposed radially within the an.- nular path ofrevolution of the jacket shroud an. The upper part 92 of the rotatablesection 90 has a bearing portion. I Elli which slidably engages thecircumference of the column jacket 64 and which axially thrusts againsta thrust bearing Hi2 backed by the fixed upper section 82. The upperpart 92 overlaps with the upper fixed section 82 and provides a slightclearance gap IM allowing for relative circumferential movement betweenthe members. The upper part 92 has one or more radiating ribs 186providing a corresponding number of apertured bosses Iilfi through whicha like number of threaded fasteners ill! extend. The lower part M of therotatable section 90 is provided with radiating ribs I ll? which receivethe threaded fasteners I ll! in a manner to make the upper and lowerparts 92, 9t detachably fastened to one another. The lower part 94 hasan inner bearing portion I it which slidably engages the circumferenceof the column jacket 5 and which axially engages a thrust bearing H!held in place by an annular embossrnent formed on the column jacket 54.The upper and lower parts 82, 94 move together as a unit in a planenormal to the axis of the steering column and are prevented from axialshift therealong by means of the noted thrust washers ill-2 and Ill. Thelower part 98 overlaps with the fixed section [It and provides a slightcircumferential gap H8 which permits relative circumferential rotationbetween the two members. When the upper and lower parts 92, 9 arefastened together, their respective half sockets 96 and it cooperate todefine a socket cavity in which a spherically formed enlarged portionI24 of the lever 52 is socketed. An anti-rattle element I2!!! isprovided in the lower half socket 913 and is yieldably urged by a coilspring Iiiz into engagement with the spherically formed enlarged portionI24 of the lever.

It will be noted that the radius of curvature of the half sockets isslightly greater than the radius of curvature of the enlarged ballportion PM with the result that slight axial movement against theyieldable urgings of spring in is per mitted by enlarged portion I24relative to the resulting socket. This socket formed of half sockets 96,98 isv open at its. inner and outer endsand the lever 52 extends outthrough both. these end openings even though they are of a relativelyreduced size as respects the overall size of the socket. The lever52 hasa handle I26 at its outer end for manual operation thereof. The enlargedintermediate portion 12% of the lever 52 is of suflicient size to closeoil? the reduced inner and outer end openings for the socket in the 1:0-tatable section 9!), and owing to the disposition of the socket halveswithin the confines of the annular path of revolution of the shroud 80,the spherically formed lever portion I24 is confined wholly within thejust-named annular path of revolution of the shroud til. A bracket I38and a fastener I28 secure an opaque case I32 to the relatively rotatablesection 9c. At one end the opaque case I32 has a protruding pointer I34and contains an internal chamber lit in which a light socket M8 isreceived. A light bulb M0 is retained by the socket I35; and effectsconnection therein to a conductor M2. The light socket I38 is groundedthrough the bracket I30. A shoulder M l carried by rotatable section 99positions the light socket E38 and the light bulb I40 in the chamberI36. The chamber I35 has an opening it which, according to the variousDO-r sitions assumed by the rotatable section 96, registers with variousindicia appearing on a translucent dial Hi8 secured tothe upper fixedsection e2. These indicia are preferably indented in the face ESil ofthe dial I48 and more particularly appear in Figure-2.

The inner end of the lever 52 protrudes radially inwardly through a gateiii! in the column jacket 64 extending circumferentially normal. to thelongitudinal column axis 73, and is formed so as to have a pair ofopposed fork portions I52. Each of the fork portions IE2 carries atrunnion 15% which extends into reinforcing collars I55 carried atdiametrically opposite sides of the shiftable tube '18. The trunnionsI54 carried by the lever forkv portions are constrained to movement in arectilinear path along the axis iii of the steering column andaccordingly, the spherically formed enlarged intermediate portion I24-oi the lever 52 will travel slightly inwardly and outwardly with respectto the socket halves 96, 98 as the lever 52 for the operating mechanismis moved in the plane of longitudinal axis is that is, moved in theplane of the paper in Figure 3. The spring urged anti-rattle elementI25; pre' vents unrestrained motion of the enlarged portion I2 1 in themovement just described in taking up the limited clearance within thesocket halves 96, 98 in which the portion wi l socketed. Motion of thelever 52 in a manner to cause ro-- tation of the shaft iii, that is,motion of the lever 52 in the plane of the paper in Figure 2, causes acorresponding motion of rotation of the rotatableshroud-section ill withthe result that no relative movement occurs between lever 52 and sectionso. In other words, the entire balland-socket fulcrum I2 3, 88, SE3 forthe lever 52 moves in coordination with the lever 52 when the latter ismoved in the plane of the paper in Figure 2 and there is no fulcralaction involved whatever.

In the bottom end of the column jacket 6 a tubular spring seat sectionI55 is secured which receives a coil spring l-E B engaging a nut I 69threadably received at the bottom end of the shiftable shaft 18. springits urges the shaft 18 in an axially upward direction within thesteering column so as to tend to restore it to any position taken due toupward movement of the handle I26 on the lever 52. A laterall extendingarm I62 is clamped between the nut I60 and a shoulder formed at the baseof the shiftable shaft 18. At its outer end the arm I62 is slotted atI64 to receive a connection for a ear shifter rod, not shown. The armI62 moves axially and rotatably with the shiftable shaft 18.

A bracket I66, welded to the column jacket 64, has an upstanding portionwhich is bent back on itself and supports a fixed pivot I68. A bellcrankI10 is supported for swinging movement by the fixed pivot I68 and has atone end an opening I12 for receiving a connection to a gear selectorrod, not shown. The other end portion of the bellcrank is folded back onitself and at the fold carries a pin I14. The pin I14 slides in a slotI16 which extends circumferentially normal to the longitudinal axis 13of the steering column and which is formed in a bracket I18 welded tothe arm I62. The arm I62 extends laterally of the steering column jacket64 through a gate I6I formed in the latter.

In operation of the operating mechanism, the shaft 18 and arm I62 areshifted axially along the column axis 13, and the pin and slotconnection I14, I16 causes the bellcrank I10 and its outer connectionportion I12 to move in an are about the fixed pivot I68. Rotative motionof the shaft 18 and arm I62 relative to column axis 13 causes the armI62 and its outer end to move in an arcuate path about the column axis13 and yet the pin and slot connection I14, I16 permits such arcuatemotion without disturbing the position of the gear selector bellcrankI10. This last motion is produced by manual operation of the hand lever52 of the operating mechanism effective to cause oscillation of thelever in the plane of the paper in Figure 3, and is accompanied byslightly inward and outward movement of the spherically formed enlargedportion I24 of the lever 52 relative to the half sockets 96, 98 in whichit is socketed. Moreover, the inner forked end of the lever 52 causesaxial movement of the shiftable shaft 18 which is refiected by thedescribed movement of the gear selector bellcrank I10. Movement of thehand lever 52 of the operating mechanism confined to the plane of thepaper in Figure 2 is accompanied by rotative movement of the shiftableshaft 18 and rotatable movement of the gear shifter rod arm I62, allwithout any attendant movement in the gear selector bellcrank I10.

As herein disclosed, the invention is shown embodied in a remote controlarrangement for a transmission of the manual gearshift type. It isevident that the present remote control arrangement will be equallyeffective in transmissions of other types and that the remote controlcan be equally well employed to control the socalled automatictransmissions of certain other type vehicles having transmissionsincluding remote-controlled control valves therein which may or may notprovide for a power shift while the vehicle transmission is intorque-transmitting operation. So also the drawing shows aball-and-socket-jointed controlling lever of the first class (fulcrumsituated between effort and resistance) which shifts slightly intranslation relative to the shroud socket to accommodate axial shift ofa concentrically shiftable controlled shaft 18, but self-evidently acontrolled shaft can be provided which is within the shroud yetalongside the column jacket 64 rather than concentrically within it. Thesubstantially curvilinear cross section of the column shroud shownconforms to a generally cylindrical path of revolution but, indeed, itis not essential to the ln-- vention that the shroud cross sectionconform to a cylindrical path of revolution, and it can include otherannular paths of revolution and conceivably the cross section itself cantake other curvilinear forms or broadly, take a rectilinear form orforms or a combination of curvilinear and rectilinear forms.

Variations within the spirit and scope of the invention described areequally comprehended by the foregoing description.

What is claimed is:

1. In a transmission control for an inclined steering column comprisinga steering shaft and a steering column jacket disposed coaxially onewithin the other with an annular space between, spaced bearing meanssupported inside the steering column jacket, a tube journalled in saidbearing means for axial and rotational movement in said space, a shroudfor the steering column having longitudinally successive fixed androtatable sections conforming to a generally cylindrical path ofrevolution about said column jacket, said rotatable section beingrotatable about its central axis, and the tube having an upper endsubstantially in the plane of rotation of said rotatable section, saidcolumn jacket having a transverse slot adjacent the upper end'of thetube and said shroud having an open-ended socket therewithin open at itsinner and outer ends and arranged such that the longitudinal axisthereof is in registry with said transverse slot, and a lever extendingsuccessively through the socket and arranged to fulcrum against thewalls thereof and through the registering slot and having an end forminga pivotal connection with the upper end of the tube for controllingaxial and rotational movement of the tube in said bearing means, saidlever having an enlarged intermediate portion disposed entirely Withinsaid cylindrical path of revolution and occupying said socket so as toclose off at least the outer end opening of the latter.

2. In a transmission control for an inclined steering column comprisinga steering shaft and a steering column jacket disposed coaxially onewithin the other with an annular space between, spaced bearing meanssupported inside the steering column jacket, a tube journalled in saidbearing means for axial and rotational movement in said space, a shroudfor the steering column having longitudinally successive fixed androtatable sections conforming to a path of revolution of generallycurvilinear section about said column jacket, said rotatable sectionbeing rotatable about its central axis, and the tube having an upper endsubstantially in the plane of rotation of said rotatable section, saidcolumn jacket having a transverse slot adjacent the upper end of thetube and said shroud having an open-ended socket therewithin open at itsinner and outer ends and arranged such that the longitudinal axisthereof is in registry with said transverse slot, and a lever extendingsuccessively through the socket and arranged to fulcrum against thewalls thereof and through the registering slot and having an end forminga pivotal connection with the upper end of the tube for controllingaxial and rotational movement of the tube in said bearing means, saidlever having an enlarged intermediate portion disposed entirely withinsaid path of revolution 9 and occupying said socket so as to close offat least the outer end opening of the latter.

3. In a transmission control for an inclined steering column comprisinga steering shaft and a steering column jacket disposed coaxially onewithin the other with an annular space between, spaced bearing meanssupported inside the steering column jacket, a tube journalled in saidbearing means for axial and rotational movement insaid space, a shroudfor the steering column having -longitudinally successive liked andretatable sections conforming to a generally cylindrical path ofrevolution about said column jacket, said rotatable section beingrotatable about its central axis, and said tube having an upper endsubstantially in the plane of rotation of said rotatable section, saidcolumn jacket having a transverse slot adjacent the upper end of thetube and said shroud having an open-ended socket therewithin open at itsinner and outer ends and arranged such that the longitudinal axisthereof is in registry with said transverse slot, and a lever extendingsuccessively through the registering socket and slot and having an endforming a pivotal connection with the upper end of the tube forcontrolling axial and rotational movement of the tube in said bearingmeans, said lever having an enlarged intermediate portion disposedentirely within said cylindrical path of revolution and being fulcrallyrelated to and occupying said socket so as to close off at least theouter end opening of the latter.

4. In a transmission control. for an inclined steering column comprisinga steering shaft and a steering column jacket disposed coaxially onewithin the other with an annular space between, spaced bearing meanssupported inside the steering column jacket, a tube journalled in saidhearing means for axial and rotational movement in said space, a shroudfor said column jacket having longitudinally successive fixed androtatable sections conforming to a path of revolution of generallycurvilinear cross section about said column jacket, said rotatablesection being rotatable about its central axis, and the tube having anupper end substantially in the plane of rotation of said rotatablesection, said column jackethaving a transverse slot adjacent the upperend of the tube and said shroud having an openi ended socket therewithinopen at its inner and outer ends and arranged such that the iongitudinalaxis thereof is in registry with said transverse slot, and a leverextending successively through the registering socket and slot and havman end forming a pivotal connection with the upper end of the tube forcontrolling axial and rotational movement of the tube in said bearingmeans, said lever having an enlarged intermediate portion disposedentirely within said path of revolution and being fulcrally related toand occupying said socket so as to close off at least the outer endopening of the latter.

5. In a transmission control mechanism for an. inclined steering columnhaving a column jacket and a steering tube supported therewithin, ashroud having fixed and rotatable sections at the upper end of saidcolumn jacket in surrounding relation thereto, shaft supporting hear ingmeans at the upper end and .at the lower end of said column jacket, ashaft having its end portions adjacent the respective said ends of saidcolumn jacket and being in spaced adjacency to said steering tube andsupported in said bearing means for axial and. rotatable movement withrespect to said column jacket, the fixed and To tatable sections of saidshroud conforming to a path of revolution of a generally curvilinearsection and surrounding said column jacket and shaft, said rotatablesection being journalled for circumferential rotation about said shaftin the vicinity of the upper bearing means and having a socket withinsaid path of revolution and open at its inner and outer ends, and alever extending through said socket having an enlarged intermediateportion fulcrally related to the Walls thereof and closing off access tothe socket through the outer end opening of the latter, and having outerand inner ends, said inner end having fork portions connected atdiametrically opposite sides to the shaft so as to coordinate axial androtational movement of the shaft in response to manually controlledmovements of said lever.

6. In a transmission control mechanism for an inclined steering columnhaving a column jacket and a steering tube supported therewithin, ashroud having fixed and rotatable sections at the upper end of saidcolumn jacket in surrounding relation thereto, shaft supporting bear--ing means at the upper and at the lower ends of said column jacket, ashaft within said column jacket and supported in said bearing means foraxial and rotatable movement with respect to said column jacket, thefixed and rotatable sections of said shroud conforming to a path ofrevolution of a generally curvilinear section and surrounding saidcolumn jacket and shaft, said rotatable section being journalled forcircumferential rotation about said shaft in the vicinity of the upperbearing means and having a socket disposed radially within said path ofrevolution and open at its inner and outer ends, a lever extendingthrough said socket having an enlarged intermediate portion fulcrallyrelated to the walls thereof and closing off access to the socketthrough the outer end opening of the latter, and having outer and innerends, said inner end having a bifurcated portion connected atdiametrically opposite sides to the shaft so as to coordinate axial androtational movement of the shaft in response to manually controlledmovements of said lever, and a shaft engaging coil spring coaxiallyarranged below said lower hearing means to urge said shaft and the innerend of said lever upwardly with respect to said column jacket.

7. In a transmission control mechanism for an inclined steering columnhaving a, column jacket rotatable sections of said shroud conforming toa, path of revolution of a, generally curvilinear section andsurrounding said column jacket and shaft, said rotatable section beingjournalled between two adjacent fixed sections for circumferentialrotation about said shaft in the vicinity of the upper bearing means andhaving a socketwithin said path of revolution and open at its inner andouter ends, cooperating parts connected to one of the two said fixedsections, andto the rotatable section and having indicia to.

indicate nominal rotative positions of the rotat able section, and alever extending through said socket having an enlarged intermediateportion fulcrally related to the walls thereof and closing off access tothe socket through the outer end opening of the latter, and having outerand inner ends, said inner end having a bifurcated portion connected atdiametrically opposite sides to the shaft so as to coordinate axial androtational movement of the shaft in response to manually controlledmovements of said lever.

8. In a transmission control mechanism for an inclined steering columnhaving a column jacket and a steering tube supported therewithin, ashroud having fixed and rotatable sections at the upper end of saidcolumn jacket, shaft supporting bearing means at the upper and at thelower ends of said column jacket, a shaft, said shaft and said steeringtube being disposed one Within the other with said shaft being supportedin said bearing means for axial and rotatable movement with respect tosaid column jacket, the fixed and r0- tatable sections of said shroudconforming to a path of revolution of a generally curvilinear sectionand surrounding said column jacket and shaft, said rotatable sectionbeing journalled for circumferential rotation about said shaft in thevicinity of the upper bearing means and having a socket within said pathof revolution and open at its inner and outer ends, and a leverextending through said socket having an enlarged interrnediate fulcrumportion slidably engaging the walls thereof and closing off access tothe socket through the outer end opening of the latter, and having outerand inner ends, said inner end having a bifurcated portion pivoted tothe shaft at diametrically opposite sides of the latter so as tocoordinate axial and rotational movement of the shaft in response tomanually controlled movements of said lever.

9. In a transmission control mechanism for an i tatable sections of saidshroud conforming to a path of revolution of a generally curvilinearsection and surrounding said column jacket and shaft, said rotatablesection being journalled between two adjacent fixed sections forcircumferential rotation about said shaft in the vicinity of the upperbearing means and having a socket within said path of revolution andopen at its inner and outer ends, cooperating parts connected to one ofthe two said fixed directions, and to the rotatable section and havingindicia to indicate nominal rotative positions of the rotatable section,and a lever extending through said socket having an enlargedintermediate fulcrum portion slidably engaging the walls thereof andclosing off access to the socket through the outer end opening of thelatter, and having outer and inner ends, said inner end having abifurcated portion pivotally connected to the shaft at diametricallyopposite sides of the latter so as to coordinate axial and rotationalmovement of the shaft in response to manually controlled movements ofsaid lever.

10. In a steering column transmission control mechanism, said steeringcolumn including an inclined column jacket and a steering tube supportedtherewithin, the combination of shaft supporting bearing means at thetop and bottom 12 ends of said column jacket, a shaft, said shaft andsaid steering tube being disposed-one within the other with said shaftbeing journalled in said bearing means for rotative and axial movementwith respect to said column jacket, a shroud com-. prising a pluralityof fixed and rotatable sections surrounding said shaft and said columnjacket adjacent the said upper end of the latter, said plurality ofsections conforming to a path of revo-j lution of general curvilinearcross section .and including a pair of fixed sections in longitudinallyspaced relation, and a rotatable section journalledv for circumferentialrotation in the space between said pair of sections and formed of anassembly of axially detachably attached upper and lower; parts, a socketportion carried by each of said parts and mutually cooperating when saidparts are assembled to form the walls of a socket having reducedopenings at its inner'and outer ends and disposedwithin said path ofrevolution, and a, double-ended lever extending through the socket andhaving an enlarged intermediate portion therewithin and slidably engagedby said socket walls so as to be held against substantial axial movementin the direction of said reduced end openings, the inner end of saidlever having fork portions connected to diametrically opposite sides ofsaid shaft for imparting manually controlled axial and rotative movementthereto.

11. In a steering column transmission control mechanism, said steeringcolumn including an inclined column jacket and a steering tube supportedtherewithin, the combination of shaft supporting bearing means at thetop and bottom ends of said column jacket, a shaft concentric to saidsteering tube and journalled in said bearing means for rotative andaxial movement with respect to said column jacket, a shroud comprising aplurality of fixed and rotatable sections surrounding said shaft andsaid column jacket ad jacent the said upper end of the latter, saidplurality of sections conforming to a path of revolution of generalcurvilinear cross section and including a pair of fixed sections inlongitudinally spaced relation, and a rotatable section journalled forcircumferential rotation in the space between said pair of fixedsections and formed of an as.- sembly of axially detachably attachedupper and lower parts, a socket portion carried by each of said partsand mutually cooperating when said parts" larged intermediate portion ofthe lever andv yielding to permit slight axial movement of said lever,the inner end of said lever having opposed fork portions connecetd tothe sides of said shaft for imparting manually controlled axial androtative movement thereto.

12. In a steering column transmission control mechanism, said steeringcolumn including an inclined column jacket and a steering tube supportedtherewithin, the combination of shaft supporting bearing means at thetop and bottom ends;

of said column jacket, a shaft having its end portions adjacent therespective said ends of said' column jacket and being in spacedadjacency at all points to said steering tube and-journalled in saidbearing means for rotative and axial movement with respect to saidcolumn jacket, a' shroud comprising a pluralityof fixed, and ro-'.

tatable sections surrounding said shaft'and said 13 column jacketadjacent the said upper end of the latter, said plurality of sectionsconforming to a path of revolution of general curvilinear cross sectionand including a pair of fixed sections in longitudinally spacedrelation, and a rotatable section journalled for circumferentialrotation in the space between said pair of fixed sections and formed ofan assembly of axially detachably attached upper and lower parts, asocket portion carried by each of said parts and mutually cooperatingwhen said parts are assembled to form the walls of a socket havingreduced openings at its inner and outer ends and disposed within saidpath of revolution, and a double-ended lever extending through thesocket and having an enlarged intermediate portion disposed internallywitha predetermined clearance therewithin and ELMER C. DODT.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,515,236 Woodward Nov. 11, 1924 2,249,173 Rawley et al July15, 1941 2,455,204 Wharam et a1. Nov. 30, 1948

